Here’s How I’ve Felt After 90 Days Smoke Free
It was on my daughters 2nd birthday when I decided that I was done smoking. I had tried to quit completely about 6 or 7 times with no luck. The difference this time is that I really didn't want to smoke anymore, because I was noticing the effects it was having on my health. I had this unrealistic expectation that within a couple of days I would feel way better. The truth is it took a little while longer.
For the first month I coughed A LOT. Way more than I normally did. I was starting to get concerned. From what I've read, this is actually pretty common. It's not exactly a great reward for giving up smoking. You would think that coughing would go away? (It does, I'll get to that later.)
The first noticeable benefit came after about a week, when I woke up without tightness in my chest. I felt like I could actually take in a full breath without being constricted.
For me after about 3 weeks, my sense of smell was noticeably better. Well, I guess it depends how you describe "better." Unpleasant smells like changing a poopy diaper wasn't something I really wanted to experience more.
Also about 5 weeks after quitting smoking my cravings for nicotine had basically gone away. To this day, (90 days later) I still have a random craving, but they last a shorter period of time.
After about 6 or 7 weeks, I took my blood pressure just for kicks. I've had borderline high blood pressure for several years. It was 118/76. It literally hasn't been that good since I was in high school. What a difference!
It was probably around 75 days smoke free when I was running late to pick up our son from school. I jogged towards the school and after I stopped I realized that I wasn't gasping for air, and my heart wasn't beating so hard.
So here I am 90 days smoke free and it's been really starting to pay off. It was not easy, and there are still some times where I'm tested. My coughing is gone. I don't wheeze anymore in the morning.
Some friends have asked me how I've been able to do it. The most important factor, and the #1 way I quit was because I decided I didn't want to smoke anymore. I had to remind myself why I don't smoke when it got tough.
The best part of quitting smoking? I don't have to hide it from my kids or my parents anymore. That's the best.